Founded by Alfred Hart in 1893, Hart's Groceries had over 100 locations in and around the city by the 1920s. They were the first grocer to use store-brand labels and were also the first self-service grocery market. They offered coupons that could be redeemed for various products, including a play wagon modeled on their logo. They became Star Markets in the 1960s and lasted until 1984.

Their alleged downfall was a long-running "Coupon War" with Wegmans that involved the two competitors doubling and tripling their coupon values to gain market shares. It is said to be longest-running campaign of its kind in retail history. Tops, new to the Rochester market at the time, also participated.1